Chongqing—China is among the countries with the highest rates of population aging. By the end of 2024, the number of people aged 60 and above had reached 310 million, accounting for 22% of the total population.

Even a warm bath remains a distant luxury for these seniors with limited mobility.

In Chongqing, mobile bathing vans are making their way into local communities. Coordinated by neighborhood committees, the Chongqing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau, or the Chongqing Charity Federation, the service offers professional bathing assistance to elderly residents in need.

Marketwise, Long Quanming, founder of Chongqing Sunshine Eldercare Service—which provides assisted bathing—said the company is using it as an entry point to expand its platform and ultimately make the service more affordable and accessible.

So, how has assisted bathing changed the lives of seniors? And what moments of warmth and hardship have bathing assistants encountered along the way? Bridging News followed one home visit to document the challenges and quiet resilience behind a single bath.